Agent claims Given reneged on City commission

Fintan Drury sues international keeper for cut of £6 million move from Newcastle

FASCINATING details concerning Shay Given's move to Manchester City last January have emerged in legal documents submitted to the High Court in London by a top Irish agent who is suing the player, alleging he was elbowed out of the deal at the last minute.

Fintan Drury, the head of the leading sports marketing firm in Ireland, Platinum One, is suing Given, saying he was cut out of a multimillion-pound deal he set in motion that saw Given quit Newcastle United for Manchester last year. Drury said Given made a verbal agreement to pay him "a reasonable commission" of his contract if he signed with a club the agent introduced him to, but that he hasn't received any money. He says the contract is worth more than £17m, with a weekly wage of £75,000 over four-and-a-half years. Drury is claiming 3% - £526,500 - but says he'll accept half of that, £263,250.